"N STRIKE."

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 1 April 1908, Page 7

"N STRIKE."

' FIGHTING FOR CRIB-TIME. THE BLACKBALL CRISIS. $S INTERESTING INTERVIEW.

; A representative of the Blackball Miners' Union, Mr. P- H. Hickey, is at pre-j-gafc in Auckland, having arrived from tie South with a mission to fulfil in ttatin' 1 the case of the Blackball strikers to thinners' Unions in the North Interviewed by a "Star"' representative sjjas morning, Mr. Hickey gave a brief and interesting resume of the case, puttine forward the reasons of the present crisis from the miners' point of view. Asked io tersely explain the exact origin of the trouble, Mr. Hickey replied xaat the men had been advocating an eight-hours' work day, and a spell of 30 minutes at meal or '-crib" time. This appeal for a 30 minutes' interval is in co way contrary to the Arbitration a-srard." and their action in persisting for such an extension, they contend, is in no way a violation of the terms of ■tie Act. " The position simply is that there is no definite provision or contingency for such time. The employers conceded, most of the demands made, but irere obdurate as far as the crib time allowance was concerned. "Was no attempt made to arrive at

s compromise r "The miners refused to compromise," vas the Blackball representative's reply. " r Xhii point they considered of-absolute-ly vital importance. Two shifts are worked in the mine, one going on at 6

o'clock in the morning and working till 2 o'clock, while the second shift commences at 8 and works till 4 o'clock. At 11 o'clock the men knock off for 'crib,' __ the time allowed in which to dispose oi their meal is 1-5 minutes. Our con-

tention is that we should be granted a snfficient respite to eat our lunch and get away from the face of the workings, ■where —-c air is heavy with the fumes of the explosives, and the black-damp is at its worst. We maintain that we Eho_d be allowed at least harf-an-hour for 'crib.' The owners offered to extend the time to 20 minutes, but it is the

crocial point at issue with us, and we »_d=t on receiving not less than 30 minutes.'-.

'■What reasons do the owners advance for.refusing your request?"

except the statement ths there would'be, a falling off in the on put This, however, is obviously wron; •__ce we are not employed at a weekl "srage, but are paid by contract, at _j •rate of 2/6 per ton." '"You are one of the miners V 'Tes, I was the first man to take 3 j___it_s over my ' ;rib.' and the resu ■ras that I was fined of, and ordere to pay 7/ costs, besides h_ving to met B 2/ legal expenses. The Magistral reserved his decision for three week hut the men decided to force the positio hv going out on strike in tne meantim ■We are firm in the stand we have takei sod there will be no compromise accep cd. We want the half hour's 'crib __re is only one other mine in all _J"e" -aland which gives less than half-ai hoc, and in that case there is a mutu' ' ___ta_di_g between the parties, b< 'erase of the conditions under which the yak. 3 *_o*__ny men are out?" In all 130 me_ are out on strikf ,«itfx.great many of. these have ver jags iamilies ro ■maintain.'' -. Tou will not compromise'!"'' . "Sat under any consideration." "Is there any likelihood of non-union .__ being employed to work the mine ? "We do not fear a development of tha ___ Coalmining is not the class o work a novice can undertake. _Tei Hen could only be imported from Nevs castle, and there you have the stronges —tionists in the world" 'How are you going to face the ques _tm of financial resources ?" "The workers are with us," was thi reply. "Everywhere I have been I have •received a most cordial reception; li .Wellington I addressed several meetings and financial assistance was freely pro 'nisei In the Buller district the miner; ■sere with us heart _nd soul. The Gre-i iMey Union is voting us f3O per week Other unions are making a special levj of 1/ and 2/ per week upon members jrat the Wellington Socialists have votec the sum of £30. The support fron Waihi wfll materially assist the fightins | rand, and it is hoped that the co-opera ot others whose sympathies art iji& the Blackball men 'will make th< I load less heavy-" I did J" 0 *! not appeal to the Ar / titration Court?" Mr. Hickev was asked , ror one reason the exigencies of thi •ppanon were such that the necessan j delay was cut of the question. Sevei -Be. were summarily dismissed, and senoil inthont a word of explanation. Hac ;'*e appealed to the Arbitration Court _ itie ordinary way a delay of severa months would have occurred, and d_rin< m mterim those men would have gon< ..elsewhere in search of work, and beet «st sight o _. Besides, the miners have ■-ot a vast amount of confidence in thi .efficacy of the Arbitration Court." Ihe nune-owners. Mr. Hickev added* M ! conceded to the lesser 'demantfs =™_ by the men, and when the crisis broached had agreed to re-instate Moss! dismissed, but they refused tc the all-imnoftant 30 minutes' =* time. Hence" the- present climax. "___?#* 3 , 1r - T addresses a meetifL -. * Allck la_d Trades and Labour _2 and - ° n Friday eTenin S **1 ex_*n the situation from the miners' before a public meeting. He &*? his at Hunt•__J& Thames - K_rang__ake, and